CHENNAI: The illegal sale of gutkha in Tamil Nadu figured in the assembly on Wednesday with DMK referring to a letter purportedly written by the Income Tax investigation wing to the government, seeking action against health minister C Vijaya Baskar and a few police officers for allowing the sale of the banned products.Raising the issue during zero hour, leader of the opposition and DMK working president M K Stalin tried to read out a statement, but was cut short by speaker P Dhanapal who asked DMK to submit proof of the allegations."You cannot raise issues that appear in newspapers or telecast by TV channels. I need proof. The proof must be given in my room and I have to check the veracity of the proof and convince myself it is genuine. Only then the issue can be raised."But, DMK members kept flashing the clippings and later raised slogans inside the hall and in the assembly corridor. But, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and ministers, including Vijaya Baskar watched quietly.Stalin and deputy leader of opposition S Duraimurugan were vociferously arguing with the speaker but Dhanapal kept repeating that he would not change his earlier order of not permitting the issue to be raised. But, DMK members continued to raise a ruckus when the speaker warned they would be evicted. Immediately, Stalin announced that DMK was walking out in protest.After DMK members left, Congress legislature party leader K Ramasamy sought permission to speak. "This government is performing well," said Ramasamy prompting treasury members to tap their benches in cheer. But the joy of ruling party was shortlived as the Congress veteran continued to say, "There are some issues happening outside the House which is likely to bring disrepute to the government and I don't want that to happen". The speaker cut short his speech, and Congress members walked out. The lone IUML member followed suit.Later, Stalin told reporters outside the assembly: "It has been more than 10 months since the letter was sent to the government. But no action has been taken so far by the chief secretary. A diary seized from gutkha dealer Madhav Rao shows money was paid to Vijaya Baskar and police officers. Why hasn't any action been taken yet?"Stalin demanded that the minister be dropped from the cabinet and action taken against police. "The health ministry is a life-saving ministry and the minister is accused of selling banned products not good for health," said Stalin. The opposition members returned to the House and participated in the debate on demand for grants for highways and PWD.

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